Hands and Hearts Retirees

A dedication to all our horses who are no longer in the program and who are enjoying their days in pasture.

Sail on Jet "Jet"
Jet was an ex-race horse that came to us after having been a brood mare for a few years. She was very sweet and tried hard, but in the end the bowed tendons she had received during her racing career would not allow her to continue as a therapy horse. She was donated by Donna Moeller.

Charlie "Char-Char"
Charlie is a neurotic bay Thoroughbred gelding, but he knew when to get focused on his work. He's now moved to a Retirement Home in Alachua, FL called Mill Creek Farm. Please visit him if you're nearby and give him our love... and a carrot or two. He was donated to Hands and Hearts by Raynor Taylor.

Scottie "Scooter McGee"
Scottie is a 13 year old bay thoroughbred gelding. He holds the track record at Belmont Race Track for a 2 year old, and his grandfather is the legend himself Secretariat. Our hope is that he will carry some of our riders to show glory. His favorite treats are peppermints. He has since moved to Gainsville, Ga where he will help disadvantaged and troubled youth. He was donated by Sherry Bryan.

Sunflower " Sunny"
Sunflower was bought by the program in March of 2006. It didn't take long to find out that Sunflower was very playful and did not want to be a therapy horse. All she wanted to do was play. We have since taken her to a Parelli clinic and she has been steadily improving. Though she is not actively used in the program, Sunflower remains to live on the farm and play Parelli with Kirsten, who she has adopted as mom.

Rebel "Bull"
Before Rebel came to Hands and Hearts he was used as a pleasure trail horse. In his youth he was a barrel horse, and we need to be careful not to show him barrels in any certain pattern. Since being retired from the program in January 2009, Rebel has returned home to live with owner Miriam Carnahan.

Cody "The Cod Man"
Cody came to us to take over for his brother, Rebel, who retired in January 2009. Though he loved being with the kids and playing Parelli with Kirsten, his fear of tight spaces quickly became known to the staff and handlers. Though still presently at Hands and Hearts, Cody will soon be returning home to live out his days as a trail horse, alongside Rebel. Cody was leased to Hands and Hearts by Miriam Carnahan.

Bert "The Flirt"
At the barn, Bert is often thought to have been a Western pony in his younger years. Now the dark bay Dartmoor enjoys teasing volunteers and getting on Kirsten's nerves so that she'll do more Parelli sessions with him. What a sweetie. He was donated to Hands and Hearts by Elizabeth Pulafer.

Henry
Henry was our youngest therapy horse in the barn. Though he loved working with our kids and doing some Parelli with momma Virginia, the nature of the slower-paced therapeutic lessons left Henry wanting something more. Henry left Hands and Hearts to join the herd of three owned by Lisa Washington in Valdosta, Ga. where he will be a trail horse and learn more Parelli. Henry was donated to Hands and Hearts by Brooks and Janet Shelden.